i had a teacher once tell me that cuss words are only for intellectually lazy people who can’t come up with more creative ways of expressing themselves.

Why should only the intellectually lazy people get to cuss?

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As a fabrication of our own consciousness, our assignations of meaning are no less “real”, but since humans and the fabrications of our consciousness are routinely fraught with error, it makes sense, to me, to, sometimes, question such fabrications.

i had a teacher once tell me that cuss words are only for intellectually lazy people who can’t come up with more creative ways of expressing themselves.

I’ve had that argument thrown at me a number of times by people who haven’t learned to think clearly. While some people can use a few words to fill in while their minds are slowly thinking of a response, such as “well”, and others use them to indicate their connection with the group, all words can have specific functions where few other words would serve adequately. As I’ve mentioned before, “copulate” has a dictionary definition related to the four letter one, but it certainly doesn’t carry the same emotional power and meaning.

I agree that they, like any word, can be overused and lose strength, but if held in reserve, when they are blasted out they can express stronger emotions than could be done otherwise.

i had a teacher once tell me that cuss words are only for intellectually lazy people who can’t come up with more creative ways of expressing themselves.

I’ve had that argument thrown at me a number of times by people who haven’t learned to think clearly. While some people can use a few words to fill in while their minds are slowly thinking of a response, such as “well”, and others use them to indicate their connection with the group, all words can have specific functions where few other words would serve adequately. As I’ve mentioned before, “copulate” has a dictionary definition related to the four letter one, but it certainly doesn’t carry the same emotional power and meaning.

I agree that they, like any word, can be overused and lose strength, but if held in reserve, when they are blasted out they can express stronger emotions than could be done otherwise.

Occam

You are mother copulatin’ right about that.

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As a fabrication of our own consciousness, our assignations of meaning are no less “real”, but since humans and the fabrications of our consciousness are routinely fraught with error, it makes sense, to me, to, sometimes, question such fabrications.

I agree that they, like any word, can be overused and lose strength, but if held in reserve, when they are blasted out they can express stronger emotions than could be done otherwise.

Exactly, used at the proper time they can have an explosive effect in conversation, such as a political discourse demonstrating your disgust for the other party’s candidate. I use this example again as emotions are running hot at this time, and will until the final vote is cast. Even afterwards you’ll hear expletives and see fist pumping down at the bar. But it’s teeth are pulled as Occam mentioned, if overused. Vulgar words are like the pepper on eggs, it should be lightly sprinkled to flavor the conversation.

I agree that they, like any word, can be overused and lose strength, but if held in reserve, when they are blasted out they can express stronger emotions than could be done otherwise.

Exactly, used at the proper time they can have an explosive effect in conversation, such as a political discourse demonstrating your disgust for the other party’s candidate. I use this example again as emotions are running hot at this time, and will until the final vote is cast. Even afterwards you’ll hear expletives and see fist pumping down at the bar. But it’s teeth are pulled as Occam mentioned, if overused. Vulgar words are like the pepper on eggs, it should be lightly sprinkled to flavor the conversation.

Cap’t Jack

Yeah? Well, my cat’s still a pussy.

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Mriana
“Sometimes in order to see the light, you have to risk the dark.” ~ Iris Hineman (Lois Smith) The Minority Report

...Vulgar words are like the pepper on eggs, it should be lightly sprinkled to flavor the conversation.

Cap’t Jack

There’s always an exception to the rule. The movie “Scarface” would not have been the same without the word “fuck” and its derivatives being used 226 times. Or maybe Cuban drug lords just like a lot of pepper on their eggs.

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As a fabrication of our own consciousness, our assignations of meaning are no less “real”, but since humans and the fabrications of our consciousness are routinely fraught with error, it makes sense, to me, to, sometimes, question such fabrications.

I’m happy I didn’t see it. I intensely dislike movies and TV shows where the characters demonstrate low intelligence. If the screen writer is too dumb to be able to show that the people involved are rational, it’s not worth my time.

SIR – Questions asked by pollsters define the kinds of answers given. “Are you an atheist?” is the wrong question (“Growing disbelief”, August 25th). “Atheist” has many negative connotations: irreligious, ungodly, unholy, graceless, sceptic, doubter, and so on. But ask a question about what atheists subscribe to—rationalism, logic, science and positivism—and a majority of people will admit that they adhere to such principles. Then ask an alternative question covering the prevalent aspects of most religions: “Do you subscribe to metaphysics, superstition, bigotry or dogmatism?”, and the majority will deny such practice.
Rethinking and rephrasing questions will reveal a vast moderate majority when positive attitudes prevail.
Peter Price
Flagstaff, Arizona

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Gary the Human

All the Gods and all religions are created by humans, to meet human needs and accomplish human ends.

Geez, that Peter Price from Flagstaff isn’t very bright is he? Is he really saying that a question like, “Do you subscribe to metaphysics, superstition, bigotry or dogmatism?” isn’t biased and will lead to an objective answer? A first class klutz.

...Vulgar words are like the pepper on eggs, it should be lightly sprinkled to flavor the conversation.

Cap’t Jack

There’s always an exception to the rule. The movie “Scarface” would not have been the same without the word “fuck” and its derivatives being used 226 times. Or maybe Cuban drug lords just like a lot of pepper on their eggs.

My mother in law wasn’t interested in the series the Sopranos because of the ‘bad language’ (never mind the violence and sex ) but I just couldn’t see Tony or Paulie saying: “Gee whiz, whack dat guy.”

Take care,

Derek

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“It is noble to be good; it is still nobler to teach others to be good—and less trouble.”—Mark Twain

I’m happy I didn’t see it. I intensely dislike movies and TV shows where the characters demonstrate low intelligence. If the screen writer is too dumb to be able to show that the people involved are rational, it’s not worth my time.

Occam

I don’t think (in the case of Scarface at least) it’s making the character to be of low intelligence, so much as low education. The character, Tony Montana was fairly smart IMO. At least until he became so addled by cocaine.

Take care,

Derek

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“It is noble to be good; it is still nobler to teach others to be good—and less trouble.”—Mark Twain

Quite true, H-C, but with or without the identifying expletives “whack dat guy” demonstrates the low level of reason and rationality of the characters that causes me to quickly lose interest in that kind of story.

Quite true, H-C, but with or without the identifying expletives “whack dat guy” demonstrates the low level of reason and rationality of the characters that causes me to quickly lose interest in that kind of story.

Occam

I agree Occam, I have never understood why people buy into the gangster mistique. Movies like “The Godfather” and “scarface” That glorify the mafia and thug life really disgust me. It’s life destroying bullying, illicit drug use, mass killing, hedonism by knuckle dragging sociopaths whose only reason for being is to terrorize and control the “suckers”. They’re nothing but little nazis, who utilized the same tactics but on a grander scale. anyone who wants to see the effects of out of control gangsterism should study Chicago in the 20’s where the gangs used automatic weapons on themselves and innocent victims. Of course, it did lead to the creation of the FBI.